Posted on Jan 13, 2022
The lessons learned from America's reliance on military contractors in Afghanistan
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2020 turned out to be a record year for government contractors. The federal government spent the most in its history on contracted goods and services. It’s also the fifth year in a row that spending increased.
In terms of signing those contracts, one federal department reigns supreme. In 2020, the Department of Defense awarded more money in federal contracts than all other government agencies combined. And one study found that nearly half of defense spending for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan went to private contractors.
Even after America’s complicated withdrawal from Afghanistan, congress approved the biggest defense spending bill in history.
We focus in on why we rely on for-profit defense businesses and how much money the government continues to throw their way.
In terms of signing those contracts, one federal department reigns supreme. In 2020, the Department of Defense awarded more money in federal contracts than all other government agencies combined. And one study found that nearly half of defense spending for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan went to private contractors.
Even after America’s complicated withdrawal from Afghanistan, congress approved the biggest defense spending bill in history.
We focus in on why we rely on for-profit defense businesses and how much money the government continues to throw their way.
The lessons learned from America's reliance on military contractors in Afghanistan
Posted from the1a.org
Posted >1 y ago
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Posted >1 y ago
I've never been a huge fan of defense contractors. Don't get me wrong, my brother in law was a defense contractor, but in areas where the technical expertise made sense. The military has "farmed out" too many capabilities to civilian contractors IMO. Used to be that a military unit was pretty self sufficient and only needed outside help in a few specific areas that were beyond their internal capability. Today's military simply can't pick up and do things without their civilian contractors tagging along. Some say that is a good thing, but I'm not one of them!
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
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Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen There will always be a Problem with "Mercenaries" Some Jobs? OK but How they have been used since 9/11? I'm Not Real Keen On. Hell I was None to Fond of One of the Bendix Contractors that I had to Deal with as a Spook.
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And they were some of the most generous for donating to Political Campaigns.
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